Fishing

Fishing Forecast

Mogollon Rim  |  White Mountains

Fishing Rating:   Hot  Good   Fair  Poor

Mogollon Rim

Bear Canyon Lake – Rating: Closed for the winter

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Bear Canyon Lake is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures. The U.S. Forest Service normally closes the 300 Road/Rim Road after the first significant snowfall, which occurred in November this year. If access to Bear Canyon Lake is possible, trout fishing should be fair. Trout were last stocked in September and some may persist into winter. Cool water temperatures may decrease trout activity, so fish during the warmest parts of the day. Try nymphs under an indicator, small gold lures, or PowerBait to attract hungry trout. Green sunfish were illegally introduced to this lake. Anglers are encouraged to remove any sunfish caught. Bear Canyon Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing

Black Canyon Lake – Rating: Closed for the winter

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Black Canyon Lake is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures. The US Forest Service normally closes the 300 Road/Rim Road and/or Forest Road 86/86B after the first significant snowfall, which occurred in November this year. Should access to Black Canyon Lake be possible, fishing will likely be poor. Catchable-sized rainbow trout were stocked during the spring and early summer. Trout fishing may be difficult throughout the winter. The lake also currently contains illegally introduced green sunfish and largemouth bass; anglers are encouraged to catch and remove these species to help control their populations. There is no limit for bass and sunfish here. Black Canyon Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter, but ice conditions are generally unsafe for ice fishing.

CC Cragin (Blueridge) – Rating: Unknown

The road to the lake is closed. The lake is full and has been stocked with rainbow trout.

Chevelon Canyon – Rating: Closed for the winter

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Chevelon Canyon Lake trailhead is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures. The US Forest Service normally closes the 300 Road/Rim Road and Forest Road 169 after the first significant snowfall, which this year happened in November. Should access to Chevelon Canyon Lake be possible, fishing will likely be poor. The fall rainbow trout stocking was not completed due to poor road conditions.

Trout will be less active during the winter, however rainbow trout and wild brown trout may be hungry during the warmest parts of the day.  Try small gold Kastmasters, Panther Martin spinners and Rapalas. Fly-fishermen should try small crayfish-colored patterns, black or brown Wooly Buggers or Simi Seal Leeches, or small nymphs under an indicator. Chevelon Canyon Lake is a hike-in or ATV accessible lake only, with a two trout limit and artificial fly/lure only regulations. Chevelon Canyon Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter, but ice conditions are generally unsafe for ice fishing.

Clear Creek Reservoir – Rating: 

Rainbow trout stocked in spring should be fished out by now, though in a 2019 survey, stocked trout were found all the way up where Clear Creek comes into Clear Creek Reservoir. Instead, target warmwater species like largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish and common carp in areas with rocky structure or edge vegetation to provide cover. As daytime temperatures cool, even in Winslow, bass should be more mobile and active. Fish in the morning from a boat or kayak, cruise around and enjoy the unique geology through the middle of the day, and then catch the evening bite at night. Try small hooks with a worm and bobber near rocks and structure for sunfish. For bullhead and channel catfish, use bait on bottom such as worms and chicken livers, especially at night when catfish are most active.

Knoll Lake – Rating: Unknown

Fishing at lakes in the Flagstaff and Williams area is hard to predict during the winter months.  Depending on the local winter conditions, the lakes can be covered with unsafe ice or the lake may clear of ice and fishing could be good. The roads to the lakes may also be closed (gated) or closed because of significant snowfall.  Remember ice cover on lakes in the Flagstaff and Williams area is not safe.

Willow Springs Lake – Rating: Closed for the winter

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Willow Springs Lake is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures. The US Forest Service normally closes Forest Road 149 after the first significant snowfall, which this year happened in November. Should access to Willows Springs Lake be possible, fishing should only be fair. Willow Springs is stocked with catchable rainbow trout weekly until the end of September and tiger trout were stocked in May. Large numbers of trout remain uncaught into the winter and continue to provide good opportunity for anglers as long as weather allows. Try Kastmasters, small Rapalas or Panther Martins for either species during the warmest parts of the day when trout will be most active. Shore anglers fishing for trout can try nightcrawlers or PowerBait. Green sunfish and smallmouth bass were illegally introduced to this lake. Try a small hook with a worm under a bobber, especially during the warmer parts of the day. Willow Springs Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing

Woods Canyon Lake – Rating: Closed for the winter

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Woods Canyon Lake is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures. The U.S. Forest Service normally closes 300 Road/Rim Road and Forest Road 105 after the first significant snowfall, which this year occurred in November. Should access to Woods Canyon Lake be possible, fishing should only be fair. Large numbers of stocked rainbow trout and tiger trout remain uncaught into the fall and continue to provide good opportunity for anglers. If fishing for trout from shore, try PowerBait or worms. Fly anglers may have luck if open water remains using small nymphs under an indicator. Fish for illegally stocked green sunfish along the rocky shore with nightcrawlers. The store and boat rentals have closed for the season. Woods Canyon Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

White Mountains

Becker Lake – Rating: 

Becker Lake can only be fished with artificial flies and lures with a single point barbless hook, catch-and-release for trout only. Becker is filling for the winter thanks to a newly-piped ditch, so expect lake levels to rise. Try fishing crayfish patterns or nymphs under an indicator near the inlet pipe to mimic small prey getting flushed into the lake. Try Wooly Buggers, Simi Seal Leeches, Prince Nymphs or Hare’s Ear. There is limited opportunity for shore fishing and wading especially due to low water, but there is a floating fishing pier that is handicapped accessible. Spin fishermen can try Z-rays, small Kastmasters or Panther Martins with the treble replaced with a single point barbless hook. Illegally introduced largemouth bass can also be found in this lake and anglers are encouraged to harvest bass to help the trout populations. Becker Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

Big Lake – Rating: Closed for the winter

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Big Lake is more difficult due to heavy snow and road closures. The U.S. Forest Service normally closes State Route 273 and State Route 261 after the first significant snowfall. Big Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

Greer Lakes (Bunch, Tunnel, River) – Rating: 

As winter weather comes to the White Mountains, the Greer Lakes are filling again; expect lake levels to rise throughout the winter. When the lakes begin filling, fish near the inflows where the water is freshest. Try insect and crayfish mimic flies and lures and drift them through the flowing fresh water. Rainbow trout were last stocked in June at Tunnel and River, but in July in Bunch.  Trout will persist throughout the winter to be caught. Wild brown trout may be found in any of the lakes. Try using streamers like Wooly Buggers, or nymphs under an indicator. Spin fisherman will do well with PowerBait or small gold lures. Illegally introduced yellow perch can be found in River Reservoir; anglers are encouraged to remove any caught to improve trout fishing. The Greer Lakes may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

Carnero Lake – Rating: Closed for the winter
During a normal winter, vehicle access to Carnero Lake is more difficult due to heavy snow and unmaintained dirt roads. The U.S. Forest Service does not restrict access; however Forest Road 117 is prone to large, dangerous snow drifts. Fall fish surveys showed great numbers of rainbows. The largest rainbow trout caught was 18 inches long and weighed just under 2 pounds. Lake levels are low, though winter precipitation will help improve that. However, fishing from the shoreline or using spinners or lures is difficult at this lake because of the weeds. Try using a small boat, canoe or float tube as long as ice conditions allow. Fly fish for rainbow trout and tiger trout with Wooly Buggers, Prince Nymphs or light-colored nymphs in open areas. The water is deepest near the islands on the north end of the lake. Carnero Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

See the pdf file for the remainder of the lakes in the White Mountains region:

Black River – East fork
Black River – West fork
Carnero
Concho
Crescent
Fool Hollow
Greer lakes
Lee Valley
Little Colorado
Little Colorado River
Luna Lake
Lyman
Nelson
Patterson
Rainbow Lake
Scott
Scott Reservoir
Show Low Creek
Show Low Creek meadows
Show Low Lake
Silver Creek
Woodland Lake

*Community fishing lakes